The Pilgrim Path---First Samuel 16: 23 (3—15—23)

And when the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.

“…REFRESHED AND WAS WELL”

My Old Testament Professor, Dr. Davis, that brought us such great soul food in the Reformation Conference last year says, “the chosen king kept the rejected king from falling apart---Saul had the therapy---he was missing the Spirit.” My---my, how true. Yet, David ministered----and he did it with music. The songs of Zion---of the LORD, no doubt---brought a measure of solace to a spiritually and emotionally disturbed Saul! Davis goes on to remind us that the Followers of Jesus Christ are the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13). We are here---with the gifts King Jesus has assigned----to keep culture from “rotting into complete decay.” We need to get “out of the salt shaker” as they say. David played the lyre---and he spoke the message when he had opportunity (and he often put both together).

This past week it was my privilege to “hear” Alissa Banks perform a hymn medley on the violin---at the conclusion of the Memorial Service for Steve Brewer. It was “out of this world.” My heart and mind were translated---my soul refreshed. Oh---the power of music! The simplicity---the wonder---the glory of those moments…Thanks be to God!

Some have told me that there will not be any musical instruments in Heaven. You may want to ponder that…

And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and a bowl of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying,

Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 5: 6 – 9

Grace & Peace in Jesus, The Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason